2_Miami Dolphins1

St Louis Rams Gameday HQ

AFC EAST
DOLPHINS
Dolphins Offense
The Miami Dolphins started the season off strong by going
3-0 and averaging over 24 points per game, but consistency
was a major problem. In the final two weeks of the season,
when the pressure was at its highest, the offense produced
just seven points.
On the bright side, quarterback Ryan Tannehill showed
improvement in his second season and displayed the skills
that made him worthy of the eight overall pick in a draft full of
talented quarterbacks. His 3,913 passing yards ranked tenth in
the league, and Tannehill led the Dolphins to four come-frombehind
victories.
Under new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, the Dolphins
will be looking to run their offense at a faster pace and use more
motion to open up the field for Tannehill and his teammates.
While the passing game has shown signs of promise, the
running game struggled all year. Lamar Miller ran for just 709
yards, and the team ranked 26th overall in rushing.
The Dolphins signed veteran running back Knowshon
Moreno, who rushed for over 1,000 yards, made 60 receptions
and scored 13 TDs for the Denver Broncos and, most importantly,
is an excellent pass blocker.
The biggest obstacle the Dolphins overcame last year was the
turmoil generated by their own players. The conflict between
guard Richie Incognito and tackle Jonathan Martin was well
documented. The offensive line failed to come together, and it
was a major factor in their offensive struggles. Tannehill was
sacked 58 times, more than any other QB in the league.
The line has been largely overhauled, with Pro Bowl tackle
Branden Albert and rookie Ja’Wuan James being the biggest
acquisitions, and the unit is looking for a bounce-back year.
Wide receiver Mike Wallace was the team’s big offseason
acquisition but he averaged just 44 yards over the first quarter
of the season and was visibly upset at his role in the offense.
Wallace eventually developed a rapport with his teammates and
finished the season with 73 receptions and 903 yards.
It was Brian Hartline that proved to be the most consistent
receiver once again. He led the team in receptions and receiving
yards for the second consecutive season.
The offense got some additional help from a surprising source
in TE/HB Charles Clay. His 69 receptions were more than double
his career total and his seven touchdowns led the team. Clay will
be a useful tool for the new offensive strategy to utilize.
Offensive Player to Watch
Tannehill is an emerging young star at the most important
position on the field. With his prototypical size and strong arm,
it’s easy to forget that he’s even less experienced than your
average third year quarterback.
As a member of the Texas A&M Aggies, Tannehill did not
convert to a full-time quarterback until the sixth game of his
junior year. The next season, he threw for over 5,000 yards and
42 touchdowns, including 6 TDs against Robert Griffin III and
the Baylor Bears.
Another year of practice alongside Mike Wallace will be
huge for the Dolphins and Tannehill. The two appeared out of
sync on long balls, and those are exactly the type of plays he was
brought in for.
What Tannehill did do extremely well was spread the ball
around the field. He completed at least six passes to eleven
different receivers. And with Knowshon Moreno in the
backfield, the Dolphins have another target in the passing game.
2014 STRENGTHS:
• Stout defense, talented young QB,
skill position depth
2014 WEAKNESSES:
• Lack of playoff experience, off-field turmoil
MIAMI
RONALD C. MODRA/SPORTS /GETTY IMAGES SPORT
Ryan Tannehill